Steelers trade recap: Newcomers worth their weight in gold in Week 10 debut

Going into a game on a new team is always difficult. When you just got traded to the club five days before the game, it only magnifies the intensity of the situation. The Pittsburgh Steelers went into their bye week with a 6-2 record, and that also circled the trade deadline. Many knew Pittsburgh wanted a receiver to add on offense, but they went past just that one trade.

Mike Williams was traded to the Steelers for a fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft. Everyone thought Pittsburgh would be done making trades after that, but the organization had other plans. They had other negotiations on the table and got Preston Smith to the Steel City from Green Bay for a seventh-round pick. Expectations were low this week for both players, but they did tremendous jobs.

One way or another, both of the Steelers' trade acquisitions had monumental impacts on the game against the Commanders. Many might have thought their roles may have been limited or barely existent this week, but they had to be bigger pieces than many imagined.

What Williams and Smith were able to accomplish in Week 10 will hopefully be the start of something great in Pittsburgh.

Mike Williams made a splash play to get the Steelers over the hump

After leaving the New York Jets organization, Williams could not have a lower stock in the NFL. Aaron Rodgers publicly bashed the receiver for running the wrong routes, which seemed to only deter Williams from ever catching on with the Jets. His trade to Pittsburgh might be his best opportunity to turn his career around. If he fails with the Steelers, then he could struggle to land a job elsewhere.

Injury produced a chance for Williams to go into the game. Calvin Austin III got banged up towards the end of the game against the Commanders, and it produced a chance for Williams to hop onto the field. He only had one target during that time, and it turned out to be a long throw for a touchdown. There might not be a better start Williams or the Steelers could have imagined to their marriage.

READ MORE: Grade the Trade: Pittsburgh lands Mike Williams

Preston Smith became a force on defense that will need to last

Going into Week 10, Nick Herbig failed to return from injury. After the Smith trade, it seemed like the Steelers might have the deepest group of outside linebackers in the NFL. Adding a quality veteran like Smith continues to look like a genius move for the black and gold. Herbig should come back from injury in Week 11, but Alex Highsmith got injured, which could keep him out a couple of weeks.

Smith played a solid game in a role that started limited and only grew from there. He got after the quarterback and made some crucial plays all over the field. With Highsmith missing time with an ankle problem, Smtih will be relied on with Herbig to take over starting duties. Having Smith join the team via trade has only made the Steelers defense that much stronger and it's already paying off.